Charles J. Dechon Jr.

Charles Joseph Dechon Jr., 80, a 22-year resident of Middle Smithfield Township, East Stroudsburg, died with his wife at his side in their home on Tuesday morning, Aug. 26.

He was born May 8, 1928, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Charles Sr. and Mariedel (Ryan) Dechon.

Charles served in the United States Marine Corps from 1946 through 1948, and saw combat with C-1-5 of the China Marines at Hsin Ho.

He had a 33-year career with the New York City Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant, serving mostly in Brooklyn and Queens, N.Y. He was the first NYPD officer to receive the Carnegie Medal for Heroism in 1963 along with numerous other awards and citations.

He was a member of the NYPD 10-13 Club, the Dinosaurs, NYPD Lieutenants Benevolent Association, the China Marines Association and American Legion Post 356 in East Stroudsburg.

He enjoyed adventure and travel, having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, explored the pyramids of Egypt on camelback, skied the Alps and the Rockies, and even went bobsledding with the 1990 Olympic team training at Vail, Colo., in 1989. In his later years he became an avid golfer and took up kayaking while in his 70s.

His greatest love was time with his family and friends, and he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was the proud grandfather of Colleen, Patrick, Michael, Kellyann, Christopher, Stephen, Kimberly, Sarina, Michael and Kayla and he recently became a great-grandfather to Riley Erin Dechon.

He was predeceased by his son, Michael Lawrence Dechon, on Sept. 11, 2002.

Visiting hours will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main St., Stroudsburg. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Route 209, Marshalls Creek, with the Rev. John Lambert as celebrant. Burial will follow in Laurelwood Cemetery, Stroudsburg.